Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Davenport, IA: $26.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Davenport, IA runs $26.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,264 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Davenport's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.1, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,558 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Davenport, Iowa, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $26.09, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.29. This difference can have significant implications for both full-time and part-time work. For graphic designers typically working in agency environments, corporate marketing departments, or even freelancing from home, hourly pay fundamentally influences their income structure. At entry-level positions, hourly earnings start around $18.64, while the most experienced can earn as much as $38.58 per hour. Such hourly figures, sourced from projected 2026 data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, create a landscape where designers have numerous avenues for employment, from collaborative office spaces to virtual freelance projects utilizing tools like Adobe and Figma, depending on their career stage and ambition.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.64 | $149.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.71 | $173.64 |
| Median (P50) | $26.09 | $208.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.90 | $255.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.58 | $308.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Davenport
Based on $26.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.09/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Davenport, IA can expect to earn approximately $54,263 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,306. With a cost-of-living index of 89.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Davenport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Davenport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,043.52 | $4,522 | $54,263 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $626.11 | $2,713 | $32,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $417.41 | $1,809 | $21,705 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Davenport) | $26.09 |
| Web Developer (National Avg) | $45.87 |
| Art Director (National Avg) | $62.64 |
| Special Effects / Animator (National Avg) | $45.53 |
| Industrial Designer (National Avg) | $41.73 |
Graphic Designers in Davenport, IA earn a median of $54,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.61% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 1.40% above the Iowa state average of $53,515.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.09/hr = $32,558/year (purchasing power: $36,549).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,263/year (purchasing power: $60,916).
CoL index: 89.079 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Davenport grew 31.9% from $19.13/hr (2019) to $25.24/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem graphic designers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Graphic Designer in Davenport
Considering part-time work under the lens of the graphic designer hourly pay in Davenport, those choosing a three-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) could earn around $30,000 annually, which is a fraction of what full-time designers can achieve. In addition to standard employment, per-diem graphic designers in the area, who often find work through contracts, can significantly increase their pay, charging between $50 and $95 an hour for their expertise. Specialties such as motion graphics and brand identity can command even higher rates, with experienced professionals billing $75 to $150 per hour. The variety in earnings can reflect employment types, with in-house positions generally offering steadier pay with benefits, contrasted with the potentially higher yet riskier pay structures of freelance or agency jobs. Designers must negotiate effectively, weighing the benefits of consistent employment against higher-paying freelance opportunities that don’t offer health insurance and stability inherently tied to corporate roles in Davenport, IA.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MFA
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for graphic designers in Davenport. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov